Work Inequalities in the Crisis

Work Inequalities in the Crisis

This book offers a unique combination of research, case studies and policy discussions. An assessment of national trends in 30 European countries precedes case studies of 14 of them, in which noted European specialists report on individual enterprises or sectors. The volume’s survey of national- and local-level policy solutions contributes to identifying those responses that strengthen economic competitiveness, preserve social cohesion and do not deepen inequalities.

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Work Inequalities in the Crisis provides an in-depth overview of the effects of the crisis on inequalities in the world of work. It examines these inequalities multi-dimensionally, looking at employment, wages and incomes, working conditions and social dialogue. At the same time, it investigates whether the crisis may halt the progress made in Europe towards better quality jobs and working conditions.

This book offers a unique combination of research, case studies and policy discussions. An assessment of national trends in 30 European countries precedes case studies of 14 of them, in which noted European specialists report on individual enterprises or sectors. The volume’s survey of national- and local-level policy solutions contributes to identifying those responses that strengthen economic competitiveness, preserve social cohesion and do not deepen inequalities.

This timely resource will be of particular interest to academics, students and researchers in labour economics, to policymakers, and to those involved in European studies more generally.

‘This is an important and useful book, providing data on the situation of inequalities in 12 European countries.’
– Elizabeth Cotton, CLR News

‘There is general agreement that inequities and inequality in the labor market were not a fundamental cause of the European economic crisis of the last half decade. This volume, however, does an excellent job of illustrating how conditions in place at the onset of the crisis have exacerbated its consequences, and how the crisis, has, in turn, affected the functioning of European economies. . . The volume is quite sophisticated in its treatment of complex economic issues yet is accessible to undergraduate audiences and above.’
– A.J. Grossberg, Choice

‘Who are the losers and the occasional winners in the current economic crisis? How have employers responded to the slump in economic growth? What lessons can be learned both from their and government labour policies? Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead, and a team of leading researchers address these questions applying the latest data and research including company case studies from across Europe, including Turkey and the transition economies. They observe some similarities, but also enormous differences. They find novel answers as the policies developed over the past two decades to foster greater flexibility have altered the way firms respond to market changes. Are all these changes socially desirable? The authors are to be congratulated for providing such a detailed panorama and frank assessment which will be of value to both academic and policy readers.’
– David Marsden, London School of Economics, UK

‘Since the successive crises erupted the increase in inequality has not been addressed. This important publication offers a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the workplace. It will help to promote a different policy agenda that is desperately needed to overcome the causes and consequences of the crisis, namely addressing work inequalities.’
– Philippe Pochet, Catholic University of Louvain la Neuve, Belgium, and General Director of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI), Brussels, Belgium